Modified ultrasound aspirator for use in and around vital structures of a body

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic aspirator includes a body, an aspirator wand extending from the body, a shield to cover the aspirator wand, a removable headpiece removably attached to the aspirator wand, and a guard extending past an end of the headpiece in a direction distal to the body. the aspirator also includes a generator or a detector to generate or detect electrical pulses, light sources, endoscopy, modified body angles, image navigation integration for improved visualization and optimization of the surgical field.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.61/983,759 filed Apr. 24, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No.62/028,044 filed Jul. 23, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/114,824 filed Feb. 11, 2015, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to an ultrasonic aspirator, and moreparticularly, to an ultrasonic aspirator that enables safer and expandeduse around vital structures of a body.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, brain and spine surgery has progressed to includeminimally invasive procedures, which reduces a patient's hospital stayand reduces recovery time, which has led to an overall reduction incosts. However, the use of minimally invasive procedures requires thatstandard operating room tools be modified to complete these tasks.

There presently exists ultrasonic aspirators for use in removing tissuein the human body. These conventional ultrasonic aspirators useultrasound energy transmitted along a length of metal to cause avibration of the metal and destruction of the tissue. The ultrasonicaspirator also integrates suction and irrigation to reduce thermalinjury to tissue adjacent to the target area by the heating of the metaltip. Due to the bulk of the apparatuses and the lack of visualizationassociated of the conventional technology, the conventional technologyis unsuitable for use in minimally invasive surgeries.

Accordingly, an ultrasound tissue aspirator is needed for use aroundsensitive and easily damaged tissue, including nerves and brain matter,by minimizing thermal injury to the tissue and by minimizing oreliminating the unintended destructive effects of the ultrasound itself.

In addition, the need to integrate a light sources, nervestimulators/monitors, endoscopes, and navigation probes, to furtherenhance the safety of ultrasound tissue aspirators in small workingspaces with poor visibility is required. Moreover, exemplary embodimentsintegrate various tools with an ultrasound aspirator to reduce the needto change devices in a fixed, closed space, thereby reducing theoperating time.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the exemplary embodiments to provide a guard for anultrasonic aspirator to prevent the unintentional destruction of tissuearound a targeted aspiration area. Further, it is an aspect of theexemplary embodiments to provide an endoscope and/or a light to providebetter visualization of a targeted surgical area.

An ultrasonic aspirator according to an exemplary embodiment includes abody, an aspirator wand extending from the body, a shield to cover theaspirator wand, a removable headpiece removably attached to theaspirator wand, and a guard extending past an end of the headpiece in adirection distal to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the guard is attached to theshield.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the guard is attached to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the guard is integral with theheadpiece.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the guard is separated from theheadpiece by a material that is non-conductive of heat or vibration.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic aspirator furtherincludes a light integrally formed at an end of the shield in adirection distal to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic aspirator furtherincludes an endoscope integrally formed with the body and the shield,extending from the body to an end of the shield in a direction distal tothe body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a first side of the headpieceincludes a working surface to aspirate an object, and the first side ofthe headpiece further includes a suction opening in a direction proximalto the body from the headpiece.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic aspirator furtherincludes a hollow tube extending from the body through the shield andterminating at the suction opening.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the headpiece includes a workingsurface having a plurality of protrusions to cut the object.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the headpiece includes a workingsurface being having a width greater than a width of the headpiece.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the headpiece includes at leastone joint around which a working surface of the headpiece can bend.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the headpiece includes a sensorreceives an input from an adjacent object.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor receives as input avibration of the adjacent object.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the headpiece includes a grasperat the end of the headpiece distal to the body.

An ultrasonic aspirator/sonicator according to an exemplary embodimentincludes a body, an aspirator wand extending from the body, a shield tocover the aspirator wand, a removable headpiece removably attached tothe aspirator wand, and a sensor to determine a change in a density ofan object contacted by the headpiece, where the aspirator is stoppedwhen the sensor determines that the density of the object has changed.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is an ultrasonicsensor.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is a displacementsensor.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor tip is integrated intoimage navigation.

An ultrasonic aspirator/sonicator according to an exemplary embodimentincludes a body, an aspirator wand extending from the body, a shield tocover the aspirator wand, and a removable headpiece removably attachedto the aspirator wand, where at least part of the headpiece is bendsaccording to a user's input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGS. 1A-1D are views showing a conventional ultrasound aspirator;

FIGS. 2A-2D are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a guardattached to a shield of the ultrasound aspirator according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 3A-3C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a guardintegrally formed with a headpiece of the ultrasound aspirator accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-4C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a guardattached to a shield and connected to the headpiece of the ultrasoundaspirator by a non-conductive material according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having anintegrated light according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 6A-6C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having anintegrated guard and endoscope according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 7A-7C are views showing an ultrasonic aspirator having a guardintegrally formed with the headpiece of the ultrasound aspirator showingan enhanced suction opening at a distal end of the headpiece accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 8A-8D are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having anintegrated light according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 9A-9C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having anintegrated endoscope only according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 10A-10C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a suctionopening on the headpiece at a location proximal to the body from aworking surface of the cutting surface of the headpiece according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 11A-11C are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a sensorto determine different densities of an object according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 12A-12C are views showing a conventional ultrasoundaspirator/sonicator having a specialty cutting blade projections on theheadpiece;

FIGS. 13A-13D are views showing an ultrasound aspirator/sonicator havinga specialty cutting blade on the headpiece and a guard integrally formedwith the headpiece according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 14A-14D are views showing an ultrasound aspirator/sonicator havinga specialty cutting blade on the headpiece and a guard integrally formedwith the shield according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are view showing an ultrasound aspirator having aheadpiece with a working surface which is curved according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an ultrasound aspirator having a cuttingsurface and integrated guard that is flexible and/or jointed accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 17A-17D are views showing an ultrasound aspirator having a guardattached to a shield with an integrated nerve stimulator/sensor on anend of the headpiece according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18A shows an ultrasonic aspirator having a conventional angledbody;

FIGS. 18B shows an ultrasonic aspirator having an angled/bayoneted bodyand a guard for the headpiece according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows an ultrasonic aspirator having a guard, a light, and anendoscope where the headpiece includes a grasper, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20A shows an ultrasonic aspirator having a guard where theheadpiece includes a cutting blade integrated into a biting/graspingtool, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20B shows an ultrasonic aspirator having a guard, a light, and anendoscope Where the headpiece includes a cutting blade integrated into abiting/grasping tool, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 21 shows an ultrasonic aspirator having a headpiece with aretractable reverse facing guard mechanism according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. However, knownfunctions associated with the exemplary embodiments or detaileddescriptions on the configuration and other matters which wouldunnecessarily obscure the present disclosure will be omitted.

FIGS. 1A-1D are views showing a conventional ultrasonic aspirator 1. Theultrasonic aspirator 1 is used to remove tissue from a body, such as ahuman body or an animal body. Ultrasound energy is transmitted from thebody 5 of the ultrasound aspirator 1, down an aspirator wand 15, and tothe removable headpiece 20. The ultrasound energy causes the headpiece20 to vibrate and destroy tissue. As shown in FIG. 1A, an irrigationhose 2 can provide fluid to the body 5, through the irrigation port 2 a,provide the fluid to the headpiece 20 to aid in the removal of destroyedtissue and reduce thermal injury to adjacent tissue caused by theheating of the headpiece 20. The ultrasound aspirator is powered bypower cables 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 further includes ashield 10 to carry fluid for aspiration of sonicated tissue and preventcontact of the aspirator wand 15 with tissue or other objects. Referringto FIGS. 1B and 1D, there is provided a suction opening 30 at a distal,tip end of the headpiece 20. The suction opening 30 can be used toremove liquid, tissue, and other debris in the body during use of theultrasonic aspirator 1. The headpiece 20 includes a working surface 25.The working surface 25 contacts the tissue or other objects and destroysthe tissue or objects by vibrating the working surface 25.

However, tissue and other objects surrounding the targeted tissue may beunintentionally destroyed by the working surface 25 the ultrasonicaspirator 1. That is, the working areas in which the ultrasonicaspirator 1 is used are very small, and the headpiece 20 and workingsurface 25 is used may unintentionally contact tissue or other objectsadjacent to the targeted structures. Accordingly, exemplary embodimentsare provided to prevent the unintentional contact between the headpiece20 and working surface 25 of the ultrasonic aspirator 1 and untargetedtissue or other objects.

FIGS. 2A-2D show an ultrasonic aspirator 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1 according an exemplary embodimentincludes a body 5, an irrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via anirrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand 15 extending from the body 5, anda headpiece 20 having a working surface 25. Further, the ultrasonicaspirator 1 includes a guard 35. As shown in FIG. 2B, the guard 35extends past the headpiece 20 in a direction distal to the workingsurface 25. The distance between the distal end of the working surface25 and the guard 35 may vary depending on the procedure being performed.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the guard 35 extends from theshield 10, where a space exists between the guard 35 and the headpiece20 and working surface 25.

The shield 10 may be formed of a plastic, a metal alloy, or any othermaterial that does not conduct heat or ultrasonic vibrations or dampenultrasonic vibrations. The guard 35 may also be formed of a plastic ametal alloy, or any other material that does not conduct heat orultrasonic vibrations. The headpiece 20 and the working surface 25 maybe formed of any metal or other material that conducts heat andultrasonic vibrations. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat these materials are only exemplary, and any material suitable forthe intended purpose of the structure may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, an ultrasonic aspirator 1 according to anexemplary embodiment is shown. The ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes abody 5, an irrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigationport 2 a, an aspirator wand 15 extending from the body 5, and aheadpiece 20 having a working surface 25. As shown in FIG. 3B, a guard35 is integrally formed with the headpiece 20 and extends past theheadpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5. The guard 35 is formedof a material that does not conduct heat or a vibration. Thus, the guard35 protects tissue surrounding the targeted tissue from beingunintentionally destroyed while using the ultrasonic aspirator 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1includes a body 5, an irrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via anirrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand 15 extending from the body 5, anda headpiece 20 having a working surface 25. As shown in FIG. 4B, a guard35 is separated from the headpiece 20 by a non-conducting material 40that does not conduct heat or ultrasonic vibrations. The non-conductingmaterial 40 may be a plastic, an alloy, or any other material that doesnot conduct heat or ultrasonic vibrations. Further, the guard 35 extendspast the headpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5. Thus, theguard 35 protects tissue surrounding the targeted tissue from beingunintentionally destroyed while using the ultrasonic aspirator 1.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1according an exemplary embodiment includes a body 5, an irrigation tube2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand15 extending from the body 5, and a headpiece 20 having a workingsurface 25. Further, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes a guard 35attached to the shield 10. However, the guard 35 is not limited to beingconnected to the shield 10.

Referring to FIG. 5B, there is shown a light 45 integrally formed withthe shield 10. However, it will be understood that the light 45 is notlimited to being integrally formed with the shield 10. The light 45 maybe provided at any location on the ultrasonic aspirator 1 to provide auser with a good visualization of the area that is targeted by the user.In this manner, a safety of the ultrasonic aspirator will be improved.

The light 45 may be powered by a battery or may be connected to aconstant power supply by an electrical cord. However, the light 45 isnot limited to being powered in this mariner, and may be powered by anymeans known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1according an exemplary embodiment includes a body 5, an irrigation tube2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand15 extending from the body 5, and a headpiece 20 having a workingsurface 25. Further, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes a guard 35attached to the shield 10. However, the guard 35 is not limited to beingconnected to the shield 10.

Referring to FIG. 6A, there is shown an endoscope 50 located at an endof the body 5. Further, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes an endoscopetube 52 extending toward the headpiece 20 and terminating at theendoscope opening 53, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, which is at alocation proximal of the headpiece 20 to the body 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6B and 6C, the endoscope opening 52 is integrallyformed with the shield 10. However, it will be understood that theendoscope opening 52 is not limited to being integrally formed with theshield 10. The endoscope opening 52 may be provided at any location onthe ultrasonic aspirator 1 to provide a user with a good visualizationof the area that is targeted by the user. In this manner, a safety ofthe ultrasonic aspirator will be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, an ultrasonic aspirator 1 according to anexemplary embodiment is shown. The ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes abody 5, an irrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigationport 2 a, an aspirator wand 15 extending from the body 5, and aheadpiece 20 having a working surface 25. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, aguard 35 is integrally formed with the headpiece 20 and extends past theheadpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5.

As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, there is provided a suction opening 30 at adistal end of the headpiece 20. The suction opening 30 can be used toremove liquid, tissue, and other debris in the body during use of theultrasonic aspirator 1. In this manner, the guard 35 protects tissuesurrounding the targeted tissue from being unintentionally destroyedwhile using the ultrasonic aspirator 1, while debris generated duringthe procedure may be aspirated using the suction opening 30.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1according an exemplary embodiment includes a body 5, an irrigation tube2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand15 extending from the body 5, a headpiece 20 having a working surface25, and a suction opening 30. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, alight 45 integrally formed with the shield 10.

It will be understood that the light 45 is not limited to beingintegrally formed with the shield 10. The light 45 may be provided atany location on the ultrasonic aspirator 1 to provide a user with a goodvisualization of the area that is targeted by the user. In this manner,a safety of the ultrasonic aspirator will be improved. According to anexemplary embodiment, light from the light 45 is directed toward theworking surface 25 of the headpiece 20, as shown in FIGS. 8B-8D.

Further, the light 45 may be powered by a battery or may be connected toa constant power supply by an electrical cord. However, the light 45 isnot limited to being powered in this manner, and may be powered by anymeans known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1according an exemplary embodiment includes a body 5, an irrigation tube2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand15 extending from the body 5, a headpiece 20 having a working surface25, and a suction opening 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, there isprovided endoscope 50 located at an end of the body 5.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic aspirator 1includes an endoscope tube 52 extending toward the headpiece 20 andterminating at the endoscope opening 53, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C,which is at a location proximal of the headpiece 20 to the body 5. Theendoscope opening 52 is integrally formed with the shield 10. However,it will be understood that the endoscope opening 52 is not limited tobeing integrally formed with the shield 10. The endoscope opening 52 maybe provided at any location on the ultrasonic aspirator 1 to provide auser with a good visualization of the area that is targeted by the user.In this manner, a safety of the ultrasonic aspirator will be improved.

FIGS. 10A-10C show an ultrasonic aspirator according to an exemplaryembodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes a body 5, an irrigationtube 2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a, an aspiratorwand 15 extending from the body 5, and a headpiece 20 having a workingsurface 25.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, there is provided a suction opening 30 onone side of the headpiece 20, the suction opening 30 being proximal of adistal end of the headpiece 20 and working surface 25 with respect tothe body 5.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the suction opening 30 provided atthe proximal location prevents damage from occurring to areas that arenot targeted by the user. That is, when the working surface 25 of theheadpiece 20 removes tissue or other debris, the debris is suckedthrough suction opening 30. In the conventional art, the suction opening30 is provided on a distal end of the headpiece 20 and working surface25, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D. In the conventional art, a user mustextend the headpiece 20 toward the debris. However, this can causeunintentional contact between the headpiece 20 and objects that have notbeen targeted. Thus, by having the suction opening 30 provided at aposition proximal of a distal end of the headpiece 20 with respect tothe body 5, such unintentional contact can be avoided.

Further, although not shown, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 of FIGS. 10A-10Cmay include a guard 35. It will be understood that the guard could beintegrally formed with the headpiece 20 or in any other manned,according to the exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, there is provided an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. While not shown, it will beunderstood that the ultrasonic aspirator 1 may include a body 5, anirrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a,and an aspirator wand 15 extending from the body 5. As shown in each ofFIGS. 11A-11C, a shield 10 is provided to cover the aspirator wand 15and a headpiece 20 having a working surface 25 extending from the shield10.

The headpiece 20 may include a sensor to determine when the density ofan object is changed. That is, a user may be using the ultrasonicaspirator in an environment having objects, such as tissues, of variousdensities. According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided apressure sensor 55 a, an ultrasound sensor 55 b, or a displacementsensor 55 c on the headpiece 20. The sensor determines when the densityof an object which the working surface 25 is in contact with changes.Once the sensor determines that the density of the object changes, theultrasonic aspirator may be turned off, or a mode of the ultrasonicaspirator 1 may be switched. In this manner, a user can preventunintentionally damaging tissue surrounding the targeted tissue. It willbe understood that a pressure sensor 55 a, an ultrasound sensor 55 b, ora displacement sensor 55 c are merely exemplary embodiments, and thesensor may be any sensor known in the art to determine a change indensity of an object which the working surface 25 is contacting.

FIGS. 12A-12C are views showing a conventional ultrasonic aspirator 1having a headpiece 20 with a working surface 25 containing projections25 a. The projections 25 a allow a user to use the ultrasonic aspirator1 as a cutting instrument in addition to using the vibration of theheadpiece 20 to destroy tissue. Similar to the conventional ultrasonicaspirator 1 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 shown in FIGS.12A-12C includes a body 5, an aspirator wand 15 (not shown), a shield 10covering the aspirator wand 15, and an irrigation hose connected to thebody 5 via an irrigation port 2 a. The headpiece 20 having the workingsurface 25 with projections 25 a is removably attached to a distal endof the aspirator wand.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13D, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1includes a body 5, an aspirator wand 15 (not shown), a shield 10covering the aspirator wand 15, and an irrigation hose connected to thebody 5 via an irrigation port 2 a. A headpiece 20 having a workingsurface 25 with projections 25 a is removably attached to a distal endof the aspirator wand 15. The projections 25 a allow the use of theultrasonic aspirator 1 in a knifelike manner to cut objects and otherdebris, in addition to using the vibration of the headpiece 20 todestroy tissue. As shown in FIGS. 13B-13D, the headpiece 20 includes aguard 35 integrally formed with the headpiece 20 according to anexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13B, the guard 35 extends pastthe headpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5. Thus, the guard 35protects tissue surrounding the targeted tissue from beingunintentionally destroyed while using the ultrasonic aspirator 1.

FIGS. 14A-14D show an ultrasonic aspirator 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, theultrasonic aspirator 1 includes a body 5, an aspirator wand 15 (notshown), a shield 10 covering the aspirator wand and an irrigation hoseconnected to the body 5 via an irrigation port 2 a. A headpiece 20having a working surface 25 with knifelike projections 25 a is removablyattached to a distal end of the aspirator wand 15. As shown in FIG. 14B,the guard 35 extends from the shield 10 and is separated from theheadpiece 20 by a space. As shown in FIGS, 13B and 13D, the guard 35extends past the headpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5 anddoes not contact the headpiece 20.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a headpiece 20 according to an exemplaryembodiment is shown. The headpiece 20 includes a working surface 25 thatis curved and a guard 35 extending past the headpiece 20 in a directiondistal to the body 5 and following a contour of the headpiece 20.However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to this shape.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the working surface 25 of the headpiece 20 has awidth greater than the width of the headpiece 20. This configurationprovides a large contact surface for the working surface 25 to removetissue. Further, the guard 35 has a same or greater width as the workingsurface 35 a and protects tissue outside the targeted area from beingcontacted by the working surface 35 a.

FIG. 16 shows a headpiece 20 have a working surface 25 according to anexemplary embodiment. The working surface 25 is flexible to enable theheadpiece 20 to access nonlinear access ports and to contact objectsthat are not easily accessible in an area of the body.

The working surface 25 may include hinges or may be formed of a materialthat is malleable along an entire surface. However, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the flexible area is notlimited to the working surface 25, and the flexible area may include apart or the entirety of the headpiece 20. In addition, while not shown,a guard may be provided for the headpiece 20. The guard may extend pastthe headpiece 20 and working surface 25 in a direction distal to thebody 5 and does not contact the headpiece 20 or working surface 25.Further, the guard may be rigid or may be flexible to follow themovement of the flexible working surface 25 and headpiece 20.

The flexible portion of the headpiece 20 moves according to an input bya user. While not shown, an exemplary embodiment includes handles oranother input mechanism by which to manipulate the flexible portion ofthe headpiece 20. The headpiece 20 may be manipulated such that theheadpiece 20 can be moved in a three-hundred-sixty degree rotationaround an axis of the headpiece 20. In this manner, the surgeon maymanipulate the headpiece 20 to access areas of the surgical area thatwould otherwise be difficult to access with a rigid or straightheadpiece 20. It will be understood that if the ultrasonic aspirator 1includes a guard 35, the guard 35 may bend along with the headpiece 20or the guard 35 remain rigid with the headpiece 20 bending by the user'sinput.

Referring to FIGS. 17A-47D, there is shown an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasonic aspirator 1includes a body 5, an irrigation tube 2 connected to the body 5 via anirrigation port 2 a, an aspirator wand 15 (not shown) extending from thebody 5, a shield 10 covering the aspirator wand 15, and a headpiece 20having a working surface 25. The working surface 25 of FIGS. 17B-17Dinclude projections 25 a. However, the working surface 25 a is notlimited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 17B, a guard 35 extends from the shield 10 to extendpast the headpiece 20 and working surface 25 in a direction distal tothe body 5 and does not contact the headpiece 20 or working surface 25.However, the guard 35 is not limited to this configuration, and may beany configuration according to the exemplary embodiments disclosedherein.

Guard 35 includes a stimulator or sensor 35 a at a distal end of theguard 35 and a stimulator or sensor wire 35 b extending from thestimulator 35 a. The stimulator or sensor 35 a receives as input apressure, vibration, electrical or other input of adjacent structures,including an adjacent nerve, during the removal of tissue and otherdebris. When the stimulator/sensor 35 a receives the input from anadjacent structure, a signal is sent from the stimulator 35 a down thestimulator wire 35 b to a user interface (not shown). In this manner,the user is made aware of an adjacent neural structure to the area thatdebris and tissue are being removed. This allows the user to avoid thisstructure, which provides an added safety measure during aspiration. Inaddition an electrical signal could be sent from an external source (notshown) from the stimulator wire to the stimulator which if adjacent to aneural structure could result in electrical stimulation of thatstructure which can be detected by sensors placed on or in skin,muscles, subcutaneous tissue or other manner known in the art in adistal area of the body enervated by that neural structure. In addition,the stimulator 35 a provides additional information to a user,especially a user new to the aspiration technique, and helps preventtrauma from an unintentional contact between the headpiece 20 and theadjacent structure. Although the stimulator 35 a is provided at a distalend of the guard 35, the stimulator 35 a is not limited thereto, and maybe provided at any location along the guard 35 to provide information ofan adjacent object to the user. Further, although a stimulator wire 35 bis provided to send a signal from the stimulator 35 a to a userinterface, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The signal maybe sent in any manner known in the art, including, but not limited to,using a wireless signal. This integrated nerve stimulator/sensor can beadded to all shields in this application.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, there is provided a conventionalultrasonic aspirator 1 having a body 5 and a shield 10, where the body 5is angled.

Referring to FIG. 18B, there is provided an ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment having a body 5 and a shield 10,where the shield 10 and wand 15 are angled. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the angled portion of the shield 10 and the wand 15 may beof varying length and diameter.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic aspirator 1having a working area 25 which includes a grasper. The ultrasonicaspirator 1 further includes a guard 35 extending past the headpiece 20in a direction distal to the body 5, an endoscope 50, and a light 45.The grasper on the working area 25 is operated using the finger notch 60and the grasper handle 61 provided on the body 5. The endoscope 50 andthe light 45 provide a user with a better visualization field, whichimproves performance of the ultrasonic aspirator 1 and improves safety.Further, the guard 35 protects adjacent tissue from the grasper providedon the working area 25.

FIG. 20A shows a conventional Kerrison-Ronguer action ultrasonicaspirator 1. The base 5 includes handles 65 to manipulate the workingarea 25. FIG. 20B shows a Kerrison-Ronguer ultrasonic aspirator 1according to an exemplary embodiment, further including a guard 35, anendoscope 50 having an endoscope opening 52, and a light 45. Theultrasonic aspirator 1 may include one or more of the guard 35, theendoscope 50, or the light 45. Further, the guard 35 extending past theheadpiece 20 in a direction distal to the body 5.

Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown all ultrasonic aspirator 1 having abody 5, an irrigation hose 2 connected to the body 5, a shield 10covering an aspirator and (not shown), and a headpiece 20 connected tothe aspirator wand. In addition, the ultrasonic aspirator 1 includes anintegrated retractor 70 provided at an end of the ultrasonic aspirator 1in a direction distal of the body 5. The retractor 70 allows the user tomove structures during aspiration. According to an exemplary embodiment,the retractor 70 may be used to retract a nerve root during spinal discremoval. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departingfrom the principles and spirit of the exemplary embodiments, the scopeof which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasonic aspirator, comprising: a body; anaspirator wand extending from the body; a shield configured to cover theaspirator wand; a removable headpiece removably attached to theaspirator wand; and a guard extending past an end of the headpiece in adirection distal to the body.
 2. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1,wherein the guard is attached to the shield.
 3. The ultrasonic aspiratorof claim 1, wherein the guard is attached to the body.
 4. The ultrasonicaspirator of claim 1, wherein the guard is integral with the headpiece.5. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, wherein the guard is separatedfrom the headpiece by a material, that is non-conductive of heat orvibration.
 6. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, further comprising: alight integrally formed at an end of the shield in a direction distal tothe body.
 7. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, further comprising: anendoscope integrally formed with the body and the shield, extending fromthe body to an end of the shield in a direction distal to the body. 8.The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, wherein a first side of theheadpiece includes a working surface configured to aspirate an object,and wherein the first side of the headpiece further includes a suctionopening in a direction proximal to the body from the headpiece.
 9. Theultrasonic aspirator of claim 8, further comprising: a hollow tubeextending from the body through the shield and terminating at thesuction opening.
 10. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, wherein theheadpiece includes a working surface having a plurality of protrusionsconfigured to cut the object.
 11. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1,wherein the headpiece includes a working surface being having a widthgreater than a width of the headpiece.
 12. The ultrasonic aspirator ofclaim 1, wherein the headpiece includes at least one joint around whicha working surface of the headpiece can bend.
 13. The ultrasonicaspirator of claim 1, wherein the headpiece includes a sensor configuredto receive an input from an adjacent object.
 14. The ultrasonicaspirator of claim 13, wherein the sensor receives as input a vibrationof the adjacent object.
 15. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 1, whereinthe headpiece includes a grasper at the end of the headpiece distal tothe body.
 16. An ultrasonic aspirator, comprising: a body; an aspiratorwand extending from the body; a shield configured to cover the aspiratorwand; a removable headpiece removably attached to the aspirator wand;and a sensor configured to determine a change in a density of an objectcontacted by the headpiece, wherein the aspirator is stopped when thesensor determines that the density of the object has changed.
 17. Theultrasonic aspirator of claim 16, wherein the sensor is a pressuresensor.
 18. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 16, wherein the sensor isan ultrasonic sensor.
 19. The ultrasonic aspirator of claim 16, whereinthe sensor is a displacement sensor.
 20. An ultrasonic aspirator,comprising: a body; an aspirator wand extending from the body; a shieldconfigured to cover the aspirator wand; a removable headpiece removablyattached to the aspirator wand, wherein at least part of the headpieceis configured to bend according to a user's input.
 21. The ultrasonicaspirator of claim 20, wherein the headpiece, wand and cover are bent orangled such that the ultrasonic aspirator is capable of accessing aminimally invasive tube access system.